Learning Through Play
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When I am building a curriculum for pre-k it is my philosophy that children at this age learn through play. To accomplish this, the classroom will be set-up for the children to learn math, science, social development, literacy, diversity, and arts. It is said By Jane K. Frobose, Colorado State University Extension Family and Consumer Education Denver County, that “through play, children learn about themselves, their environment, people and the world around them. As they play, children learn to solve problems and to get along with others. They enhance their creativity and develop leadership skills and healthy personalities. Play develops skills children need to learn to read and write. Play in early childhood is the best foundation for success in school.”(February 2008) I could not agree more and could not have said it better. Children are wired to play and have short attention spans because of this we must make learning fun.
For me, curriculum building begins with set up of the classroom. I will offer several areas of learning in different areas of the classroom. These would include but may not be limited to an art area, block area, dramatic play, small manipulative, reading area, music, and math and science area. When setting up these areas I will add activities and props that will promote diversity, critical thinking, and social development. For example to promote diversity in the classroom I will have pictures and posters of people of different backgrounds and culture, I will have students make a poster of their families and post them for the class to enjoy, making home-made books that the students take part in making that describes their culture using pictures (family homework), adding babies of different race in the dramatic play area, costumes from different cultures, offering props in the block area of people of all ages, race, and ability, to play with the blocks. I will promote good social skills by setting a good example in the classroom, taking the time to listen to each child and respond appropriately, it is ok for children to have feelings even if the feeling is angry but they must be taught how to address these feelings. I will offer a journal for the children to write in when they have feeling of any kind, this could be happy, sad, mad, or any other thoughts. This journal will be in a private setting so not only can children have time to themselves to think and write or draw but to also separate a child if they cannot handle being in a large group for a while. We all need time to ourselves occasionally. To help the children with the journal writing I will offer magazines so the children can cut out pictures or words of how they feel, a feelings chart, books on how to deal appropriately with feelings and so on. I will also be available and observing social interaction between children so I am able to help resolve an argument if needed or just the presence of a teacher can help a child make the right decision.
Once the classroom is set-up so that the learning areas are in place, I will start observing and assessing the children using the Wisconsin Early Learning Standards (The Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards Steering Committee, 2011). To do this I will have to observe children during play and I may have to set-up assessment in small learning area to assess the needs of each child. This not only assesses the needs of each child but also gives the teacher an opportunity to get to know each child and learn their interests build units for the curriculum. Observations and assessment are also used when meeting with parents to keep them informed and involved.
Parent involvement will also be part of my curriculum. A copy of the monthly lesson plan will go to the parents with a letter to explain how the children will learn from each activity. The letter will also give suggestions as to what the parents can do at home including resources to book to read at home and links to educational websites to ensure the children are being taught at home and at school. I will also keep open communication with parents by providing contacts for them to reach me if they have a question, concern, or just input on the unit we are studying.
Now that I am informed on the needs and interests of the students I can then pick a unit to study. Once I pick a unit with the help of the students I will use the webbing method to decide what